UN News Today 10 September 2025 |

Nuclear watchdog chief announces breakthrough on Iran monitoring

The head of the UN’s atomic energy agency announced on Wednesday that a deal has been struck with Iran to resume cooperation on inspections of Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

Monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ended abruptly in June when Israel and US-backed airstrikes targeted Iran’s nuclear power installations.

At the time, the Iranian authorities confirmed that the Natanz enrichment site had been impacted without affecting existing radiation levels.

Under the new deal that was agreed on Monday in Cairo, Mr. Grossi said that “practical modalities” have been agreed allowing the resumption of inspection activities in Iran.

These include the procedures for inspection, notifications and their implementation, the IAEA chief explained, before insisting that “these practical steps…need to be implemented now”.

Nepal protests: UN rights chief appeals for calm amid ongoing violence

Nepal’s army has reportedly deployed patrols on the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, as UN human rights chief, Volker Türk issued an appeal for calm, following violent clashes between security forces and protesters.

The unrest is the worst in decades in the Himalayan nation and followed demonstrations at the start of the week by so-called “Gen-Z” groups, against years of alleged corruption and nepotism by elected officials.

In a statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the violence that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries to hundreds “of mostly young protesters”. Mr. Türk also spoke out against the torching of politicians’ homes and parliament:

“I plead with security forces to exercise utmost restraint and to avoid further such bloodshed and harm. Violence is not the answer…I am also disturbed by reports of public buildings, businesses and private residences being attacked and, in some instances, set ablaze. Equally, I am concerned by reports of physical attacks on senior government officials. I remind protesters that they too must uphold the spirit of peaceful assembly and refrain from violence.”

The UN rights chief appealed for dialogue as the best and only way to address the concerns of the Nepalese people.

“It is important that the voices of young people are heard,” he insisted.

In Gaza City, aid teams issue new warning over Israeli military action

To Gaza City, where aid teams say that nearly one million people who’ve been told to leave by the Israeli military have nowhere to go.

Civilians being forced to move “are now left with no safe or viable options”, said UN and partner agencies that work together as the Humanitarian Country Team in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

They explained that the so-called humanitarian zone of Al Mawasi where Gazans have been told to go is not big enough to house them and lacks basic services for those already there.

In addition, roads in Gaza are “barely passable” and most families cannot afford to leave the north, the humanitarian group insisted, before warning of the “looming destruction” of Gaza City.

While civilians in the war-torn enclave continue to struggle to find food, water, medical care and shelter, the country team insisted that its workers would stay in Gaza for as long as they can.

Daniel Johnson, UN News